2025 Year in Review

Andrew Symes signs off after five years as President with the club in its strongest position yet — 643 players, nine grand-final teams, four premierships and a new five-year plan for the Bombers.

• President: Andrew Symes (fifth and final year)
• 643 players from MiniRoos to Over-45s
• Nine grand-final teams; four premierships: U13C, U21C-2, AL10 & AL11
• New five-year strategic plan rolled out
• Strong finances, capital works and a new Business Club for sponsors

From the President’s Report

Season 2025 promised so much and delivered even more. As the season approached, there was enormous excitement on the back of pre-season planning around player development, community engagement and social activities. The support, passion, and care from so many members and supporters was truly amazing this year and something that in my fifth year as President of BBFC, I couldn’t be more proud of.

In terms of our cultural awareness initiatives to baseline and build on our values, the club has proved once again from the mini roos to the over 45s how much it means to be a Bonnet Bay Bomber and relish our times at Lakewood. Registration numbers were again solid with 643 players this season, but importantly a healthy mix of teams playing in lime green to participate, compete and support each other both on and off the pitch.

From a financial perspective, the club is in an incredibly strong position, lead by the prudent financial management of Club Treasurer Ian Petrovski. We again won a number of grants this year thanks to committee member Clive Riseam, including federal awards of $14,500 and $2500, state awards of $18,000, and further sponsor grants of $10,000 thanks to Club Central Menai. Our generous sponsors continue to contribute significantly under the guidance of sponsorship manager Danial Alfonso, who was (among other things) able to establish and run a new Business Club this year with our sponsorship group to encourage further networking opportunities. We are maintaining healthy reserves to ensure future success, and continue to invest in various capital works such as lighting upgrades, new furniture at the clubhouse, and improvements to our change rooms and referee rooms. We’ve also invested this year in professional coaching support, new equipment and further enhancements to our grounds. And importantly we’ve given back to members through social activities by regularly providing free social events and heavily subsidising activities such as the junior and senior presentation events held at The Hangar this year.

The social calendar this year has been, in my opinion, better than ever before under Committee Member Rod Pulbrook’s direction, lining up an enormous amount of events including origin nights, trivia evenings, ladies days, family days, Sunday afternoon music sessions, the golf day and other events too numerous to mention. The social calendar has improved this year with more hands offering support, such as John Burgess and Andrew Collins taking on the lion’s share of the golf day. Thank you to all who have contributed.

From a football perspective, our MiniRoos teams are stronger than ever, magnificently marshalled by the powerhouse that is Kristina Bennett. Our teenage teams are improving year on year, with some great results throughout the age groups, but this is one area, along with further female registrations, that the club is keen to invest in over the coming years. Our senior programs continue to grow, which has put a strain on use at Lakewood for Sundays but we continue to seek upgrades at PEP and surrounding grounds to support member needs in this regard. Importantly however, both our men’s and women’s programs have gone from strength to strength this year under the guidance of club secretary Anthony McDonald, Women’s Co-ordinator Emily Bremner and Men’s Co-ordinator Marc Orklin, producing 9 grand final teams and four premiership winners, including the U13C, U21C-2, AL10 and AL11. A fabulous result indeed, supported by better coach and manager engagement, technical coaching support, new equipment purchases and improved communications all round lead by Vice President Gary Williamson.

On the governance side, we re-wrote and rolled out our new 5 year strategic plan, which was orchestrated by BBFC player Stig Andersen. This document received input from Sponsors, the Oversight Council, Members and other stakeholders to ensure it was a comprehensively considered plan for the long term future of the club. With ongoing input, occasional amendment and adherence to the underlying pillars of that plan, I am confident BBFC will grow and prosper even further.

As the 2025 season has now ended I would like to acknowledge and thank all the wonderful volunteers that help the Bonnet Bay Football Club be the best Football Club around. Your efforts and continued support have been simply amazing. There are way too many volunteers to mention individually, however on behalf of the Committee I would like to say thank you for everything you do.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank all our Sponsors, who enable so many of our initiatives through their generosity. Special thanks to Whale Logistics, The Prince, Club Central Menai, Fox & Wood, Brook Air, Wyze Finance, At Your Service, MotiveIT, Jannali Physio, Ink Signs, Nugget Digital, Axiom Spatial, Custom Built and Hahn Concreting. The support these companies provide us is truly amazing and I encourage all Members to support them whenever possible.

Since Peter ‘Pixie’ Burgess handed me the reins 5 years ago, I have done my best to serve this great community and club. It has been my privilege and honour. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved on the back of the foundations the Great Man left behind. Now is the perfect time to hand over the leadership to a new President, who I know will take the lead with enthusiasm, commitment and desire to see BBFC succeed. Thank you for your support of me over the last 15 or so years on Committee, and last 5 years as President. My proudest BBFC moments have always been watching the community collect and flourish at the Hangar, and unite in something special that is only possible on the shores of Lakewood. May we continue to build this wonderful club around the ethos of Community, Club, Team and Self in that order, and celebrate good citizenship, selfless contribution, and the inclusion of all who want to strive for the Greater Good.

Andrew Symes
President, Bonnet Bay Football Club

Source: this report is reproduced from Bonnet Bay FC’s submission to the Sutherland Shire Football Association 2025 Year in Review.